Bioactive Compounds, Technological Processing, and Functional Applications of Solanum betaceum: A Systematic Review (2020–2025)

Anticona Coello H.O.; Revilla Alva J.; Diaz Delgado B.; Fernández Jeri A.B.; Muñoz Astecker L.D.; Cruzalegui Fernández R.J.; Lozano-Isla F.; Auquiñivin Silva E.A. · Applied Sciences (Switzerland) (2026) · DOI: 10.3390/app16020880

Resumen

Featured Application: The findings of this systematic review provide a scientific foundation for developing functional ingredients, standardized extracts, and innovative food matrices derived from Solanum betaceum. The food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries can use these insights to optimize extraction processes, enhance the stability of bioactive compounds, formulate products with defined antioxidant properties, and design applications supported by metabolomics and advanced bioprocessing technologies. Furthermore, the synthesized evidence supports strategies for valorizing processing by-products, enabling circular economy approaches and facilitating the industrial scaling of high-value-added functional products. Solanum betaceum (tamarillo) is Andean fruit rich in secondary metabolites with increasing relevance in food, nutraceutical, and biotechnological research. Despite growing scientific interest, the available evidence remains fragmented and methodologically heterogeneous. This systematic review consolidates and critically analyzes recent studies on the bioactive composition of S. betaceum, the effects of conventional and emerging processing technologies, and the functional activities reported for fresh fruits, by-products, and processed matrices. A comprehensive search of Lens.org, Scopus, and PubMed was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. From 1049 records identified, 65 studies published between 2020 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The literature reveals substantial variability in polyphenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamin C, and other metabolites, driven by cultivar, maturity stage, edaphoclimatic conditions, and analytical approaches. Emerging technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, high-pressure homogenization, and spray drying generally improved the recovery and stability of bioactive compounds, whereas intensive thermal treatments were associated with degradation of thermolabile constituents. Functional evidence supports antioxidant, antimicrobial, metabolic modulatory, and cytotoxic activities; however, interpretation is limited by inconsistent reporting practices, limited bioaccessibility assessment, and the predominance of in vitro models. Overall, S. betaceum shows considerable functional and technological potential, but further standardized methodologies, mechanistic studies, and human-relevant models are required to support translational and industrial validation.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas